While institutional repositories (IRs) often include a built-in searching mechanism and/or are indexed by web search engines, what about our patrons who go straight to the library catalog with their information need? Rather than hope that users will stumble upon the IR from the library website or assume that they will start their research with a Google search, librarians can facilitate greater IR discoverability and usage by integrating its content into the library catalog. With strong teamwork, good communication, and a shared vision, this endeavor helps transform the IR and library catalog from separate, siloed platforms into a more cohesive collections package.
At the University of San Diego, librarians and administrators across three departments -- Technical Services, Systems, and Archives / Special Collections / Digital Initiatives --recognized this opportunity and came together to share information and work in concert to explore and enact the benefits of auto-harvesting IR content into the library catalog. Driven by a vision of providing enhanced discoverability and access, as well as promoting the IR as a whole and enriching the catalog, the team members worked cooperatively to identify specific IR collections appropriate for harvest, investigate technical logistics, consult outside vendors (including Innovative and bepress), and experiment with implementation.
